Dreaming a centipede into the computer

 Graham Rostron, Abel Naborlhborlh and Damien Kamholtz of Bininj Kunwaral in the recording studio

That moment an ancient song hits the radio waves always sends goosebumps across my skin. It is deeply special when it is my people singing, and I get the same sense of pride from being with Bininj in their song.

Our living cultures are always so deeply, and beautifully expressed this way. Song has carried knowledge through thousands of generations - and today, evening in a recording studio, it still is a moving experience. For this reason, and at the design of Neville, Graham and Abel, song is a critical element of our #AR creation so far. 

Each creation is being brought to life in the artists own way, in their own language. When each recording has been finished, it is the moment the entire project comes together.  It is the moment where I get to hear what happened in their heads when they first received their bark - before a mark was made in ochre on their crisp white surfaces 4 months ago. 

Watching and listening to Neville sing and dance an ancient ceremony dance a few weeks ago moved me to tears. Neville brought to life Namande right in front of my eyes. It was brilliant! Namande is well on his #3D animation journey and is expected to be completed in the following days. 

Today, hearing Graham Rostron singing the ancient modjarrkki song, then playing morle (didgeridoo) was another moment I have been waiting for since starting this project. His Indigenous prose about centipede is as equally captivating - a strong fable we should all take heed of when in the bush! 

Abel shyly and gracefully recorded his animation audio - the story of the importance of family responsibilities. This whole time I thought we would be hearing a crocodile story from Abel but it turns out this is a story that is far more important, and far more ancient than I realised.

It will also be an animation challenge as we work out a way to infer graphic death without showing blood and guts in full #3d glory. 

We had a great time working on the process for translating ancient teaching stories and songs from Bininj culture to the world's newest technology. It took a few takes as noisy garraway (sulphur crested cockatoo) chatted in the background, and the technology failed to cooperate, each time we were laughing about Dreaming a centipede into the computer. 

The stories are now in the digital realm waiting to be attached to their #3D characters. They are each so different, with powerful messages for us all. 

I can't wait for the next step......